Daniella among
AMERICAN TRADITIONS COMPETITION QUARTERFINALISTS
Hello All,
Hope you're enjoying the warm winter rays of the "global heater" (:
Please come and join me and share the beauty of love and giving on
Feb 14 at the Greenwich VIllage Bistro,
13 Carmine Street (bet Bleecker and 6th Ave) a 8pm.
I will be expecting you there with a handfull of romantic tunes.
Bring the paper tissues!
My loyal fans: support me in spirit as I embark on the path to Savannah Music Festival this March to compete for the Best Vocalist at the Eckberg American Traditions Comeptition this March. More details at:www.savannahmusicfestival.org
Thanx!
Peace & Love,
Daniella
************************************************
If we take time to look into our hearts, we will
ultimately feel complete and connected...
within ourself and as part of the human family.
Danijela Macesic
cell: 917 539 1347
web: lella.iuma.com
| American Traditions Competition Sponsored by Dick & Judy Eckburg The American Traditions Competition celebrates the repertoire that represents the art and popular cultures of the United States. It subscribes to the belief that these American musical genres evolved to incorporate identifiable characteristics of excellence and artistic integrity. It is the goal of the Competition to foster heightened appreciation and celebration of these American genres. PLEASE NOTE: THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE 2004 AMERICAN TRADITIONS COMPETITION HAS PASSED. OUR 2004 QUARTERFINALISTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED JANUARY 15, 2004. Should you wish to be placed on the newsletter or email list for the 2005 competition please contact: mary@savannahmusicfestival.org General Information 1.) The 11th Annual American Traditions Competition is in Savannah, Georgia on March 20-27, 2004. There are eight Entrance Categories to choose from. 2.) The competition is open, regardless of nationality to women and men, age 16 and older. 3.) Applicants for this competition agree to adhere to the competition rules, the regulations on performance and decisions of the Judges. Application Procedure: 1) Please return the completed application form with the following enclosures: a) two 8 ½” x 10” glossy photographs. Digital files scanned at 300dpi are preferred. b) 150-word biography c) professional profile d) $80 application fee (cashier’s check, money order, VISA MasterCard, AMEX ONLY) e) High quality CD with a backup (may be a cassette) All application materials and enclosures must be postmarked by: December 1, 2003. 2.) Applicants selected for the Quarterfinals will be contacted on or by January 15, 2004. The application form, enclosures, and Preliminary Round recording will NOT be returned. Competition Schedule: 1.) The VeriSign American Traditions Competition will be divided into four rounds: -Preliminary Round -Quarterfinal Round March 22/23, 2004 -Semifinal Round March 24, 2004 -Final Round March 27, 2004 2.) Twenty-five to thirty contestants will be selected in the Preliminary Round, to participate in the Quarterfinal Round. Twelve to fifteen Quarterfinalists will advance to the Semifinal Round. Five or six Semifinalists will advance to the Finals. 3.) The ATC Project Manager will assign an accompanist to the competitors. Every competitor is entitled to one 30-minute rehearsal before each round of competition with his or her assigned accompanist. Any additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the individual competitor. Rehearsals for the Quarterfinals will begin March 20, 2004 in Savannah, GA. Program: 1.) Each applicant must enter his/her competition program on the submitted application form. Once the application and program are received no changes will be allowed. Preliminary Round: o Each contestant should submit a 15-minute high quality recording of the best selections from the larger 9 to 11 piece program. All CDs must be submitted with a backup recording (the back up may be a cassette tape) to insure your entry is judged. Quarterfinal Round: o Contestants advancing to the Quarterfinals will present a live performance of the material submitted on the Preliminary Round CD. NO PROGRAM SUBSTITUTIONS OR CHANGES ARE ALLOWED. NO EXCEPTIONS. Semifinal Round: o Based upon the 9 to 11 piece program submitted on the contestant application the judges will select 3 or 4 pieces to be performed live during the semifinal rounds. The judges do reserve the right to request just one or any portion of the selected pieces during the performance. o Contestants will be informed of the judges’ selections the morning after the announcement of the Semifinalists. Final Round: o Prepare a 15-minute program of your BEST category repertoire. Finalists may use material from the Quarterfinals, Preliminary rounds or any unutilized remaining repertoire from the original 9 to 11 piece program. PERFORMANCE RULES: 1.) All competition pieces should be performed from memory. 2.) No “canned”/pre-recorded musical accompaniment will be permitted during competition. 3.) All the competition events will be open to the public. The audience is asked to observe any instructions announced at the beginning of each round of competition. JUDGING: Contestants will be judged using the following criterion: stage presence, technique, intonation, artistry, and the ability to communicate while singing. PRIZES: Oxnard Gold Medal $10,000 Solomons Silver Medal $5,000 Stanton Bronze Medal $2,500 Finalists $1,000 Semifinalists $500 Quarterfinalists $250 Contestants receive only ONE cash award. |
| AMERICAN TRADITIONS COMPETITION QUARTERFINALISTS |
| Danijela Macesic Lead singer for Elvis Stanic Group and Think Positive Band, and recipient of the “Young Jazz Masters Award – Marjan Marjanovic”, Daniella moved to New York two years ago to share with a wider audience extraordinary talent as a singer and songwriter. Long before she could even understand or speak English, six years old Daniella would swing along with Satchmo and Ella and other Jazz Greats every Friday night in front of her TV set. At the age of 16, she formed her first rock & roll band. After exploring the blues form, Jazz was the following step on her musical path. Daniella has studied with Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton, among others; attended Berklee Summer School in Italy and completed The Vocal Performance Class at The New School in New York City. She has performed in clubs and restaurant all over Europe, as well as in numerous New York City clubs and restaurants, sang on Miles Jaye’s Jazz Festival in Atlantic City, appeared numerous times on Joe Franklin’s Radio Show “Memory Lane” on WOR 710AM, and recently performed at Madison Square Garden in New York as a part of the New York International Music Festival. |
| Sean Anderson A native of Akron, Ohio, Sean Anderson made his solo operatic debut as “Harry” at age 10 in Albert Herring, with the University of Akron’s Opera Theatre. Since then he has performed in over 40 productions from opera to Shakespeare. Most recently, Mr. Anderson covered the role of Marcello in Baz Luhrmann’s Broadway production of La Boheme while it ran at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles. Last summer, he sang the title role in the Italian premier of Dominick Argento’s opera Casanova’s Homecoming, presented by the Opera Theatre/Music Festival of Lucca, Italy. Mr. Anderson is currently pursuing his Artist Diploma degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he also did his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. There, he has performed in many award winning main stage and studio operas, including the May 2003 production of Debussy’s Pelléas and Mélisande as “Golaud” for which he received the Samuel Adams Award for Outstanding Performance. Mr. Anderson lives in Cincinnati with his wife Erika. |
| Phillip Lamar Boykin Phillip a native of Greenville, SC, attended North Carolina School of the Arts where he began his studies in opera. He transferred to the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut and earned his Bachelor of Music degree. He then entered Howard University seeking a Master’s in Jazz Vocal/Vocal performance. Phillip performed the roles: “Tarquinius” in The Rape of Lucretia, ”Don Alfonso” in Così fan T utte, and “Joe” in the National tour of Showboat. Solo appearances include, The Lincoln Center, Cleveland Opera, Connecticut Opera Express, Washington Opera’s Schools Program, Hartford Symphony, Bristol Symphony, Greenville Symphony and the Kennedy Center features in “Black Nativity.” Phillip has toured Europe as “Crown” in Porgy and Bess, as a director with Harlem Gospel Singers and as the Star of The Golden Gospel Singers. The late Dr. William Warfield declared, “Phillip has an extraordinary gift. I’m extremely proud to have worked with him.” |
| Matthew Carey 2003 ATC Semi-finalist Matt Carey has been a member of the voice faculty at Arkansas State University since 1997. He is the music director for the ASU Theater Department's Fall Musical and co-hosts the radio program "Spotlight on the Arts". Spanning a career in which he has performed over 40 roles, Matt has sung with opera companies throughout the US and in Germany where he was principle baritone at the Theater Lübeck from 1992-1996. He was last seen on stage as Victor Velasco in Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park and Will Rogers in The Will Rogers Follies. He has sung with symphony orchestras in the US, Germany and Scandinavia, and performs recitals and coffee houses in which he programs classical song cycles, musical theater and popular standards. Matt lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas with his wife Corinne and two children, Sean and Jillian. |
| Maria Clark Soprano, Maria Clark graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Manhattan School of Music, and also attended Florida State University’s School of Music, after having received scholarship offers from both schools. Maria has also received various other scholarships such as the Color Purple Scholarship, the Georgia Merit Scholarship, and the Tallahassee Music Guild, and NAACP Scholarships. She has completed a US tour of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, while playing the principle role of Clara. She has also sung in several other operatic productions such as Miss Silverpeal in “The Impresario”, Susannah in “The Marriage of Figaro”, and Monica in “The Medium”. Maria Clark was also a winner in the West Palm Beach Opera Competition and NATS vocal competitions, and a finalist in both the Mobile Opera, and D’Angelo Vocal Competitions. Maria has also performed The Messiah with the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, and is a staff singer at the All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta. She is a promising talent whose ultimate goal is to achieve international success as an operatic singer. |
| Catherine E. Clarke Catherine Clarke, soprano, is originally from Maysville, Kentucky. She received her BM in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky and her MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Having performed in both the musical theater and opera genres, roles include: Sarah Brown from Guys and Dolls, Contessa from Le Nozze di Figaro, First Lady from Die Zauberflöte, La Ciesca from Gianni Schicchi, and Fiordiligi from Cosi fan tutte. Most recently, Miss Clarke performed Adina from L’Elisir d’Amore in Italy with Operafestival di Roma. She has performed extensively in oratorio, including Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Orff’s Carmina Burana . Miss Clarke made her Carnegie Hall debut with the Lexington Singers in 1999. In the springs of 2000 & 2001, Miss Clarke was a district finalist in the Rocky Mountain District Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions and was twice a recipient of a Denver Lyric Opera Guild scholarship. Miss Clarke was a member of Chautauqua School of Music and Aspen Opera Theater Center for 2 summers each and currently is a student of Irene Gubrud. |
| Daniel C. Cohen As a practicing trail attorney, Danny returns to the ATC stage again as a quarterfinalist. Danny attended Presbyterian College on a voice scholarship, receiving a degree in voice performance cum laude. Active in music theater, Danny has appeared in Shenandoah, Flower Drum Song, Brigadoon, The Fantasticks, and I Do! I Do!. A NATS regional winner, Danny has performed lead rules in Menotti’s Old Maid and the Thief, The Telephone, and Amahl and the Night Visitors. He has appeared as soloist with the Savannah Symphony in Schubert’s Mass in G, Haydn’s The Creation, and Haydn’s Mass in Time of War. He also appeared as soloist in the Faure Requiem, Verdi Requiem, Mozart Requiem and Handel’s Messiah. Danny recorded The Solitary by American/Czech composer Vera Kistler. Danny has been affiliated with Savannah professional chorale ensemble I Cantori for the past 10 years. |
| Catherine Davis Cox Catherine Davis Cox has a three octave range and the ability to float between classical and contemporary music. She just appeared at the Ford Ampitheatre as the scat coloratura soloist in Duke Ellington’s jazz piece, “Sacred Music.” She has played locally at the Cinegrill in “An Evening of Gilbert & Sullivan” and recently appeared on a bill with Fritz Coleman, the NBC weatherman, as a benefit for the Red Cross. Catherine has been a soloist for masterworks by Handel, Bach, Mozart and Haydn. She can be heard on Brian Setzer’s “Rockin’ Christmas,” Fritz Heede’s “Wings of Healing” and has her own Christmas CD with her girl’s jazz trio. She has been the singing voice of animated characters for HBO and Nickelodeon and on radio for an NPR Irish Christmas special. She and tenor Philip McNiven are appearing together now in a two person concert, “ A Time for Romance,” combining classical and pop music with the theme of romance. |
| Elizabeth Croy Elizabeth Croy, soprano, is active as an art song recitalist and teacher. As a dedicated promoter of art song, she twice received national awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS Artist Awards). She frequently appears as a soloist with regional orchestras and has had operatic roles with the Intermountain Opera Company in Bozeman. Elizabeth was one of the seven finalists in the 2002 American Traditions Competition in Savannah, Georgia. With pianist Julie Gosswiller, Elizabeth was chosen nationally to participate in the 2002 Art Song Festival at the Cleveland Institute of Music. In the first Internet Art Song Contest, CyberSing, Julie and Elizabeth won several awards. You can hear their performance at www.lottelehmann.org/artsong/CyberSing/index.cfm. Ms. Croy is Professor of Music at Montana State University in Bozeman where she teaches studio voice, vocal pedagogy and diction. She received her Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she studied with renowned vocal pedagogue, Dr. Barbara Doscher. Elizabeth makes her home in Bozeman, Montana with her husband and her two daughters. |
| Jacquelyn Culpepper Jacquelyn Culpepper’s lyric soprano voice has taken her across the United States and Europe. Highlights of her experience include 85 roles in opera and oratorio and 4 concert tours of American music in Europe, where she was lauded by critics for her lyrical voice and exceptional musicianship and where she performed for the American Embassy in Bonn, Germany as well as for the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and Luxemborg. Featured in 3 national public television specials, and national premieres of several operas and oratorios, Culpepper’s performances have taken her to prestigious concert venues such as Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to Atlanta’s Symphony Hall, and in performances with the late, internationally-renowned conductor Robert Shaw. Jacquelyn has appeared many times on public and commercial television and radio stations. An Evening with Cole Porter has been popular and broadcast for several years on PBS. She was featured in a Salute to Masterpiece Theatre with Jean Marsh and also recorded a recital for the South Carolina Television Network. Currently, Ms. Culpepper teaches voice at Davidson College where she is artist associate in the music department. |
| Christine Heath Christine Marie Heath, originally from Kaneville, IL, has performed with several theatre companies including The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players at City Center, Sarasota Opera, Toledo Opera, Ashlawn-Highland Opera Festival and Ohio Light Opera. Equally at home with opera and musical theatre, her perfomed roles include Kate in Kiss Me Kate, Gianetta in The Gondoliers, Sarah Brown in Guys & Dolls, Frasquita in Carmen, and Annina in A Night in Venice, which was released on compact disc by Newport Classics. In March 2003, she made her International debut at La Gran Theatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain, where she played the lead role of Amy in A Little Sondheim Music. Upcoming engagements include the role of Magnolia in Show Boat with Natchez Opera Festival, “A Tribute to Barbara Streisand” concert series with the Opera Theatre of Philadelphia/Gulf Coast Symphony, and a solo concert hosted by The Naomi Artist Management Group in New York City. Christine earned her Master’s degree at the Maryland Opera Studio and a Bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University, both in Music Performance. |
| Laurie Krauz Laurie Krauz' early career took her from Medical Social Work to the world of Finance. In 1980, while working on Wall Street, Laurie took a singing course as a lark and found her calling. Since then, she has expanded her musical studies with course work at New School University in New York City and private coachings. Over the years, her teachers have included Mark Murphy, Daryl Kojak, Carla White, Woody Mann, Stephen Tarshis and Jay Bianchi. She has performed with a number of jazz luminaries including George Coleman, Harold Mabern, Cameron Brown and Warren Vaché and has appeared at such legendary venues as The Blue Note, Town Hall, S.O.B.'s, Sardi's and The Rainbow Room. Catch Me If You Can (LML Records), Laurie's long-awaited debut CD, was released in 2001. Featuring George Coleman on tenor sax, the recording has received accolades throughout the jazz world. |
| Cherresa V. Lawson Cherresa V. Lawson, soprano, is active as a performer and teacher. Cherresa has performed jazz, blues, opera, and pop music at numerous venues across the Midwest for the past fifteen years. As vocalist for the Caribbean Consort Steel Band, she regularly performs throughout Indiana for public and private events. She is also active as a performer of sacred music and can often be heard singing at area church services and weddings. While attending Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana), Cherresa studied with Professor Mary Hagopian. As a student, she appeared in numerous university jazz and classical performances, including Porgy and Bess. Cherresa was chosen to compete in the Savannah Onstage competition in 2002. Under her direction, the choirs at Kokomo High School have appeared throughout the United States and have earned numerous awards and recognitions. |
| Yolanda Hall Long Yolanda Hall was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1968, though her lifelong home has been Durham, North Carolina. Yolanda, who began singing at the age of 12, got her musical start as a classical singer. She studied under renowned mezzo-soprano Betty Allen at The North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina after completing High school. While studying classical music, her musical focus would expand after seeing Durham Jazz Pianist Yusef Salim and Carol Sloane performing at Duke University one night. “It was destiny that night” says Yolanda, “Jazz chose me, it was in my blood waiting to flow out.” In the time since her calling as a Jazz Singer, Yolanda began to sing professionally throughout North Carolina, playing in Jazz Clubs, with big bands and orchestras. She later traveled to Europe and played in Jazz Clubs and festivals throughout England and Italy. Yolanda returned to North Carolina and began teaching jazz vocal technique to students at Saint Augustine’s College, where she obtained her B.A. in Public Relations and Broadcasting, her minor was in music. Yolanda currently continues performing as her first love, and is preparing original compositions for the compilation of her first album. |
| Jimmie Nettles Jimmie is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University where he earned his Bachelor of Music in vocal performance. He went on to study vocal pedagogy at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and obtain a Master of Church Music degree. Since 1985 he has served as a minister of music for churches in Louisiana, Virginia and Georgia. He is currently serving as Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Albany GA. He has also been Adjunct Voice Faculty at Chowan College in North Carolina, and currently, Darton College in Albany GA. Jimmie has been a soloist for a variety of venues including community concerts, churches, and colleges. He is a member of and tours with The Centurymen, an auditioned male chorus from across the US. He is married to Anne and has two daughters. Jimmie is deeply committed to church ministry and strives to bring a variety of styles and programming to the church and community where he serves. |
| Lyle K. Nicholson Lyle Nicholson attended the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Illinois.He has sung with the Chicago Symphony Chorus under Margaret Hillis, presently with Lyric Opera Chorus under Donald Palumbo, roles with Chamber Opera Chicago, DuPage Opera Theatre, Grant Park Symphony, Green Bay Symphony, South Shore Chicago Symphony, Goodman Theatre Chicago and in 1994, joined the North American Tour of "Showboat" for 4 years understudying the role of Joe and made his debut in the lead role in Los Angeles with Cloris Leachman and Ned Beatty. Upon returning to Chicago, Lyle ventured onto the screen and adds to his credit, commercials for Scrubbing bubbles, Shoney Resturants, Chicago Tribune, Gateway Chevrolet, Ford Credit, voiceovers for Shoneys Resturants, Day Quil, ABN Financial Services, and numerous on-camera and voice-over industrials. Lyle will soon join the Chicago Lyric Opera Education Department in their "Meet the Artist" program. |
| Dexter Porter Dexter Porter was born in Eatonton, Georgia on August 29th, 1963. He began performing musical theatre at Northside High School, a school which has a reputation for producing Broadway caliber shows, in Warner Robins, Georgia. There, Dexter received a solid foundation in stage performance. As a result of the training from Northside, Porter had the confidence to seek and complete a BFA degree in Theatre at Valdosta State University, yet another school with a reputation of excellence in the theatre. He has since studied under Geoffrey Owens, formerly of the Cosby Show. Currently, he is receiving training in vocal performance under Franny Burke in New York City. Porter has personally produced two CD’s: “A Taste of Good Music” and “Jazz Classics”. There is a work currently in progress entitled “Dexter Porter Sings Good Music”. Dexter is looking forward to sharing his ‘good music’ with you. |
| Wendy Reynolds American soprano Wendy Reynolds enjoys a multifaceted career that spans opera, oratorio, song recital and musical theatre. She has appeared as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof and Sarah in Company, and wowed audiences and critics alike with her portrayal of Kate in Kiss Me, Kate. The Parkland Forum/EastSider (FL) wrote, “Reynolds is excellent and convincing. She not only has audience-pleasing vocal chords but is a good actress as well.” In Palm Beach Opera productions, she appeared in the title role of Lehár's The Merry Widow, Musetta in Puccini’s La bohème, and Poussette in Massenet’s Manon. The Palm Beach Daily News wrote: “Wendy Reynolds performed with great energy and personality and possesses a beautiful soprano voice, with excellent ringing tones and a lovely spin to the sound. She has a great future in the opera world.” Most recently, Ms. Reynolds was featured at Borders Books & Music for the launch of her CD entitled "Wings of Healing". |
| Diana Rogers Diana Rogers sang the blues on Bourbon Street before venturing to the Big Apple, where her career has blossomed and continues to ripen through exposure and time. You will be infatuated with the warm surrender of emotions she gives through her songs as she concedes intimacy with her audience. Diana has enjoyed a long engagement at the established Nino’s Restaurant at 1354 1st Avenue, since it’s opening in 1990. Also, she performs at the Maidstone Arms in East Hampton during the summer. Diana’s cabaret show is designed to muse the past with the music of Porter, Gershwin, Rogers and Hart, and take you into the present with great songs from the current musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim. In any event, Diana Rogers will give an exciting show, and as the curtain rises, she will wish you love and fascinate you with intrigue. |
| Huxsie Scott Huxsie began her career as a jazz vocalist in 1973. During the next fourteen years she performed with many of the area’s premiere jazz ensembles and symphony orchestras. She was features opener for jazz greats such as the late Lionel Hampton and McCoy Tyner. Huxsie worked for a number of years as vocalist for jazz great and Savannah resident, bassist Ben Tucker. In 1987, she came full circle and went back to her roots, singing Gospel and inspirational music. Huxsie has recorded three independent solo projects and she is featured on recent releases by DRT productions and local jazz trombonist Teddy Adams. Huxsie is currently the featured performer with the Savannah Theatre Project. In 2003 the company completed two very successful seasons of Lost in the Fifties, Savannah’s longest running musical to date. Huxsie’s singing style is a unique blend of jazz and traditional/contemporary Gospel. |
| Alysa Smith A featured soloist with the Savannah Symphony Chorus, Alysa Smith has performed extensively in the Savannah area. Her solo work includes the Faure Requiem, the Gounod St. Cecilia Mass, the Vivaldi Gloria, the Schubert Mass in G and Vaughn Williams' Serenade to Music. In 2002, she presented a recital as a guest artist on the Brenau University Concert Series in Gainesville, Georgia and sang the Aria from Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5 with the Coastal Symphony Orchestra of Georgia. She has offered solo recitals of classical repertoire for Savannah audiences over the last two years. Presently, she sings with the Savannah Choral Society. Since 1982, she has performed with multiple choral groups: the Savannah Counterpoint Madrigal Singers, I Cantori, and Holiday Harmonies, a professional octet. Ms. Smith received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from East Carolina University and M.M. in vocal performance from Georgia Southern University. She is the choral director at Johnson High School in Savannah. |
| Michelle Sundwall Michelle S. Sundwall’s great love is musical theatre. Recently she has been seen as Fraulein in a new musical of “Heidi” and Yum Yum in “The Mikado”. She also loves sacred music as she can express her deepest feelings of gratitude and faith through this medium. Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in music from The University of Utah.She has been a judge of vocal competitions and pageants and has received manyhonors and awards. Of those honors, a favorite is placing as a semifinalist in the 2003 American Traditions Competition. Michelle’s greatest achievements are her happy marriage and four children. Whether lullabying babies to sleep, singing in church or performing on the stage, Michelle shares her voice generously. As Utah’s well-known paper, The Deseret News, has stated, Michelle has “a truly stellar voice”. |
| Rosemary Tarquinio Rosemary Tarquinio has been singing all her life but has made a career as a film and television executive in Los Angeles. Entering the American Traditions Competition is Rosemary’s return to music and singing. Rosemary has sung The National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels, Clippers and Kings and has performed a vocal number on the television series, Quantum Leap. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Rosemary now resides in Los Angeles and continues to study opera privately but her great loves are musical theatre and standards which she will perform in the American Traditions Competition. |
| Karen Young Karen Young, Lyric Soprano, was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. She holds a B.A.degree in vocal performance from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she is an adjunct vocal instructor. She also maintains a private studio of 20 students at Ars Nova School of the Arts, a music school located in Huntsville. Ms. Young’s most recent roles include “Desdemona” in Verdi’s Otello, “Maddalena” in Verdi’s Rigoletto, and “Suzuki” in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. In her career, Ms. Young has been coached by some of the finest vocal instructors, including Joan Dornemann and Nico Castel of the Metropolitan Opera, Virginia Zeani of Indiana University, and Richard Miller of Oberlin Conservatory. Ms. Young also pursues her love of jazz music, an interest that was handed down by her mother, a local jazz pianist and singer. Karen has performed with various jazz artists in Atlanta, Nashville, and other areas in the Southeast. |
Daniella among
AMERICAN TRADITIONS COMPETITION QUARTERFINALISTS
Hello All,
Hope you're enjoying the warm winter rays of the "global heater" (:
Please come and join me and share the beauty of love and giving on
Feb 14 at the Greenwich VIllage Bistro,
13 Carmine Street (bet Bleecker and 6th Ave) a 8pm.
I will be expecting you there with a handfull of romantic tunes.
Bring the paper tissues!
My loyal fans: support me in spirit as I embark on the path to Savannah Music Festival this March to compete for the Best Vocalist at the Eckberg American Traditions Comeptition this March. More details at:www.savannahmusicfestival.org
Thanx!
Peace & Love,
Daniella
************************************************
If we take time to look into our hearts, we will
ultimately feel complete and connected...
within ourself and as part of the human family.
Danijela Macesic
cell: 917 539 1347
web: lella.iuma.com
| American Traditions Competition Sponsored by Dick & Judy Eckburg The American Traditions Competition celebrates the repertoire that represents the art and popular cultures of the United States. It subscribes to the belief that these American musical genres evolved to incorporate identifiable characteristics of excellence and artistic integrity. It is the goal of the Competition to foster heightened appreciation and celebration of these American genres. PLEASE NOTE: THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE 2004 AMERICAN TRADITIONS COMPETITION HAS PASSED. OUR 2004 QUARTERFINALISTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED JANUARY 15, 2004. Should you wish to be placed on the newsletter or email list for the 2005 competition please contact: mary@savannahmusicfestival.org General Information 1.) The 11th Annual American Traditions Competition is in Savannah, Georgia on March 20-27, 2004. There are eight Entrance Categories to choose from. 2.) The competition is open, regardless of nationality to women and men, age 16 and older. 3.) Applicants for this competition agree to adhere to the competition rules, the regulations on performance and decisions of the Judges. Application Procedure: 1) Please return the completed application form with the following enclosures: a) two 8 ½” x 10” glossy photographs. Digital files scanned at 300dpi are preferred. b) 150-word biography c) professional profile d) $80 application fee (cashier’s check, money order, VISA MasterCard, AMEX ONLY) e) High quality CD with a backup (may be a cassette) All application materials and enclosures must be postmarked by: December 1, 2003. 2.) Applicants selected for the Quarterfinals will be contacted on or by January 15, 2004. The application form, enclosures, and Preliminary Round recording will NOT be returned. Competition Schedule: 1.) The VeriSign American Traditions Competition will be divided into four rounds: -Preliminary Round -Quarterfinal Round March 22/23, 2004 -Semifinal Round March 24, 2004 -Final Round March 27, 2004 2.) Twenty-five to thirty contestants will be selected in the Preliminary Round, to participate in the Quarterfinal Round. Twelve to fifteen Quarterfinalists will advance to the Semifinal Round. Five or six Semifinalists will advance to the Finals. 3.) The ATC Project Manager will assign an accompanist to the competitors. Every competitor is entitled to one 30-minute rehearsal before each round of competition with his or her assigned accompanist. Any additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the individual competitor. Rehearsals for the Quarterfinals will begin March 20, 2004 in Savannah, GA. Program: 1.) Each applicant must enter his/her competition program on the submitted application form. Once the application and program are received no changes will be allowed. Preliminary Round: o Each contestant should submit a 15-minute high quality recording of the best selections from the larger 9 to 11 piece program. All CDs must be submitted with a backup recording (the back up may be a cassette tape) to insure your entry is judged. Quarterfinal Round: o Contestants advancing to the Quarterfinals will present a live performance of the material submitted on the Preliminary Round CD. NO PROGRAM SUBSTITUTIONS OR CHANGES ARE ALLOWED. NO EXCEPTIONS. Semifinal Round: o Based upon the 9 to 11 piece program submitted on the contestant application the judges will select 3 or 4 pieces to be performed live during the semifinal rounds. The judges do reserve the right to request just one or any portion of the selected pieces during the performance. o Contestants will be informed of the judges’ selections the morning after the announcement of the Semifinalists. Final Round: o Prepare a 15-minute program of your BEST category repertoire. Finalists may use material from the Quarterfinals, Preliminary rounds or any unutilized remaining repertoire from the original 9 to 11 piece program. PERFORMANCE RULES: 1.) All competition pieces should be performed from memory. 2.) No “canned”/pre-recorded musical accompaniment will be permitted during competition. 3.) All the competition events will be open to the public. The audience is asked to observe any instructions announced at the beginning of each round of competition. JUDGING: Contestants will be judged using the following criterion: stage presence, technique, intonation, artistry, and the ability to communicate while singing. PRIZES: Oxnard Gold Medal $10,000 Solomons Silver Medal $5,000 Stanton Bronze Medal $2,500 Finalists $1,000 Semifinalists $500 Quarterfinalists $250 Contestants receive only ONE cash award. |
| AMERICAN TRADITIONS COMPETITION QUARTERFINALISTS |
| Danijela Macesic Lead singer for Elvis Stanic Group and Think Positive Band, and recipient of the “Young Jazz Masters Award – Marjan Marjanovic”, Daniella moved to New York two years ago to share with a wider audience extraordinary talent as a singer and songwriter. Long before she could even understand or speak English, six years old Daniella would swing along with Satchmo and Ella and other Jazz Greats every Friday night in front of her TV set. At the age of 16, she formed her first rock & roll band. After exploring the blues form, Jazz was the following step on her musical path. Daniella has studied with Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton, among others; attended Berklee Summer School in Italy and completed The Vocal Performance Class at The New School in New York City. She has performed in clubs and restaurant all over Europe, as well as in numerous New York City clubs and restaurants, sang on Miles Jaye’s Jazz Festival in Atlantic City, appeared numerous times on Joe Franklin’s Radio Show “Memory Lane” on WOR 710AM, and recently performed at Madison Square Garden in New York as a part of the New York International Music Festival. |
| Sean Anderson A native of Akron, Ohio, Sean Anderson made his solo operatic debut as “Harry” at age 10 in Albert Herring, with the University of Akron’s Opera Theatre. Since then he has performed in over 40 productions from opera to Shakespeare. Most recently, Mr. Anderson covered the role of Marcello in Baz Luhrmann’s Broadway production of La Boheme while it ran at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles. Last summer, he sang the title role in the Italian premier of Dominick Argento’s opera Casanova’s Homecoming, presented by the Opera Theatre/Music Festival of Lucca, Italy. Mr. Anderson is currently pursuing his Artist Diploma degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he also did his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. There, he has performed in many award winning main stage and studio operas, including the May 2003 production of Debussy’s Pelléas and Mélisande as “Golaud” for which he received the Samuel Adams Award for Outstanding Performance. Mr. Anderson lives in Cincinnati with his wife Erika. |
| Phillip Lamar Boykin Phillip a native of Greenville, SC, attended North Carolina School of the Arts where he began his studies in opera. He transferred to the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut and earned his Bachelor of Music degree. He then entered Howard University seeking a Master’s in Jazz Vocal/Vocal performance. Phillip performed the roles: “Tarquinius” in The Rape of Lucretia, ”Don Alfonso” in Così fan T utte, and “Joe” in the National tour of Showboat. Solo appearances include, The Lincoln Center, Cleveland Opera, Connecticut Opera Express, Washington Opera’s Schools Program, Hartford Symphony, Bristol Symphony, Greenville Symphony and the Kennedy Center features in “Black Nativity.” Phillip has toured Europe as “Crown” in Porgy and Bess, as a director with Harlem Gospel Singers and as the Star of The Golden Gospel Singers. The late Dr. William Warfield declared, “Phillip has an extraordinary gift. I’m extremely proud to have worked with him.” |
| Matthew Carey 2003 ATC Semi-finalist Matt Carey has been a member of the voice faculty at Arkansas State University since 1997. He is the music director for the ASU Theater Department's Fall Musical and co-hosts the radio program "Spotlight on the Arts". Spanning a career in which he has performed over 40 roles, Matt has sung with opera companies throughout the US and in Germany where he was principle baritone at the Theater Lübeck from 1992-1996. He was last seen on stage as Victor Velasco in Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park and Will Rogers in The Will Rogers Follies. He has sung with symphony orchestras in the US, Germany and Scandinavia, and performs recitals and coffee houses in which he programs classical song cycles, musical theater and popular standards. Matt lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas with his wife Corinne and two children, Sean and Jillian. |
| Maria Clark Soprano, Maria Clark graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Manhattan School of Music, and also attended Florida State University’s School of Music, after having received scholarship offers from both schools. Maria has also received various other scholarships such as the Color Purple Scholarship, the Georgia Merit Scholarship, and the Tallahassee Music Guild, and NAACP Scholarships. She has completed a US tour of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, while playing the principle role of Clara. She has also sung in several other operatic productions such as Miss Silverpeal in “The Impresario”, Susannah in “The Marriage of Figaro”, and Monica in “The Medium”. Maria Clark was also a winner in the West Palm Beach Opera Competition and NATS vocal competitions, and a finalist in both the Mobile Opera, and D’Angelo Vocal Competitions. Maria has also performed The Messiah with the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, and is a staff singer at the All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta. She is a promising talent whose ultimate goal is to achieve international success as an operatic singer. |
| Catherine E. Clarke Catherine Clarke, soprano, is originally from Maysville, Kentucky. She received her BM in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky and her MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Having performed in both the musical theater and opera genres, roles include: Sarah Brown from Guys and Dolls, Contessa from Le Nozze di Figaro, First Lady from Die Zauberflöte, La Ciesca from Gianni Schicchi, and Fiordiligi from Cosi fan tutte. Most recently, Miss Clarke performed Adina from L’Elisir d’Amore in Italy with Operafestival di Roma. She has performed extensively in oratorio, including Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Orff’s Carmina Burana . Miss Clarke made her Carnegie Hall debut with the Lexington Singers in 1999. In the springs of 2000 & 2001, Miss Clarke was a district finalist in the Rocky Mountain District Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions and was twice a recipient of a Denver Lyric Opera Guild scholarship. Miss Clarke was a member of Chautauqua School of Music and Aspen Opera Theater Center for 2 summers each and currently is a student of Irene Gubrud. |
| Daniel C. Cohen As a practicing trail attorney, Danny returns to the ATC stage again as a quarterfinalist. Danny attended Presbyterian College on a voice scholarship, receiving a degree in voice performance cum laude. Active in music theater, Danny has appeared in Shenandoah, Flower Drum Song, Brigadoon, The Fantasticks, and I Do! I Do!. A NATS regional winner, Danny has performed lead rules in Menotti’s Old Maid and the Thief, The Telephone, and Amahl and the Night Visitors. He has appeared as soloist with the Savannah Symphony in Schubert’s Mass in G, Haydn’s The Creation, and Haydn’s Mass in Time of War. He also appeared as soloist in the Faure Requiem, Verdi Requiem, Mozart Requiem and Handel’s Messiah. Danny recorded The Solitary by American/Czech composer Vera Kistler. Danny has been affiliated with Savannah professional chorale ensemble I Cantori for the past 10 years. |
| Catherine Davis Cox Catherine Davis Cox has a three octave range and the ability to float between classical and contemporary music. She just appeared at the Ford Ampitheatre as the scat coloratura soloist in Duke Ellington’s jazz piece, “Sacred Music.” She has played locally at the Cinegrill in “An Evening of Gilbert & Sullivan” and recently appeared on a bill with Fritz Coleman, the NBC weatherman, as a benefit for the Red Cross. Catherine has been a soloist for masterworks by Handel, Bach, Mozart and Haydn. She can be heard on Brian Setzer’s “Rockin’ Christmas,” Fritz Heede’s “Wings of Healing” and has her own Christmas CD with her girl’s jazz trio. She has been the singing voice of animated characters for HBO and Nickelodeon and on radio for an NPR Irish Christmas special. She and tenor Philip McNiven are appearing together now in a two person concert, “ A Time for Romance,” combining classical and pop music with the theme of romance. |
| Elizabeth Croy Elizabeth Croy, soprano, is active as an art song recitalist and teacher. As a dedicated promoter of art song, she twice received national awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS Artist Awards). She frequently appears as a soloist with regional orchestras and has had operatic roles with the Intermountain Opera Company in Bozeman. Elizabeth was one of the seven finalists in the 2002 American Traditions Competition in Savannah, Georgia. With pianist Julie Gosswiller, Elizabeth was chosen nationally to participate in the 2002 Art Song Festival at the Cleveland Institute of Music. In the first Internet Art Song Contest, CyberSing, Julie and Elizabeth won several awards. You can hear their performance at www.lottelehmann.org/artsong/CyberSing/index.cfm. Ms. Croy is Professor of Music at Montana State University in Bozeman where she teaches studio voice, vocal pedagogy and diction. She received her Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she studied with renowned vocal pedagogue, Dr. Barbara Doscher. Elizabeth makes her home in Bozeman, Montana with her husband and her two daughters. |
| Jacquelyn Culpepper Jacquelyn Culpepper’s lyric soprano voice has taken her across the United States and Europe. Highlights of her experience include 85 roles in opera and oratorio and 4 concert tours of American music in Europe, where she was lauded by critics for her lyrical voice and exceptional musicianship and where she performed for the American Embassy in Bonn, Germany as well as for the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and Luxemborg. Featured in 3 national public television specials, and national premieres of several operas and oratorios, Culpepper’s performances have taken her to prestigious concert venues such as Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to Atlanta’s Symphony Hall, and in performances with the late, internationally-renowned conductor Robert Shaw. Jacquelyn has appeared many times on public and commercial television and radio stations. An Evening with Cole Porter has been popular and broadcast for several years on PBS. She was featured in a Salute to Masterpiece Theatre with Jean Marsh and also recorded a recital for the South Carolina Television Network. Currently, Ms. Culpepper teaches voice at Davidson College where she is artist associate in the music department. |
| Christine Heath Christine Marie Heath, originally from Kaneville, IL, has performed with several theatre companies including The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players at City Center, Sarasota Opera, Toledo Opera, Ashlawn-Highland Opera Festival and Ohio Light Opera. Equally at home with opera and musical theatre, her perfomed roles include Kate in Kiss Me Kate, Gianetta in The Gondoliers, Sarah Brown in Guys & Dolls, Frasquita in Carmen, and Annina in A Night in Venice, which was released on compact disc by Newport Classics. In March 2003, she made her International debut at La Gran Theatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain, where she played the lead role of Amy in A Little Sondheim Music. Upcoming engagements include the role of Magnolia in Show Boat with Natchez Opera Festival, “A Tribute to Barbara Streisand” concert series with the Opera Theatre of Philadelphia/Gulf Coast Symphony, and a solo concert hosted by The Naomi Artist Management Group in New York City. Christine earned her Master’s degree at the Maryland Opera Studio and a Bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University, both in Music Performance. |
| Laurie Krauz Laurie Krauz' early career took her from Medical Social Work to the world of Finance. In 1980, while working on Wall Street, Laurie took a singing course as a lark and found her calling. Since then, she has expanded her musical studies with course work at New School University in New York City and private coachings. Over the years, her teachers have included Mark Murphy, Daryl Kojak, Carla White, Woody Mann, Stephen Tarshis and Jay Bianchi. She has performed with a number of jazz luminaries including George Coleman, Harold Mabern, Cameron Brown and Warren Vaché and has appeared at such legendary venues as The Blue Note, Town Hall, S.O.B.'s, Sardi's and The Rainbow Room. Catch Me If You Can (LML Records), Laurie's long-awaited debut CD, was released in 2001. Featuring George Coleman on tenor sax, the recording has received accolades throughout the jazz world. |
| Cherresa V. Lawson Cherresa V. Lawson, soprano, is active as a performer and teacher. Cherresa has performed jazz, blues, opera, and pop music at numerous venues across the Midwest for the past fifteen years. As vocalist for the Caribbean Consort Steel Band, she regularly performs throughout Indiana for public and private events. She is also active as a performer of sacred music and can often be heard singing at area church services and weddings. While attending Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana), Cherresa studied with Professor Mary Hagopian. As a student, she appeared in numerous university jazz and classical performances, including Porgy and Bess. Cherresa was chosen to compete in the Savannah Onstage competition in 2002. Under her direction, the choirs at Kokomo High School have appeared throughout the United States and have earned numerous awards and recognitions. |
| Yolanda Hall Long Yolanda Hall was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1968, though her lifelong home has been Durham, North Carolina. Yolanda, who began singing at the age of 12, got her musical start as a classical singer. She studied under renowned mezzo-soprano Betty Allen at The North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina after completing High school. While studying classical music, her musical focus would expand after seeing Durham Jazz Pianist Yusef Salim and Carol Sloane performing at Duke University one night. “It was destiny that night” says Yolanda, “Jazz chose me, it was in my blood waiting to flow out.” In the time since her calling as a Jazz Singer, Yolanda began to sing professionally throughout North Carolina, playing in Jazz Clubs, with big bands and orchestras. She later traveled to Europe and played in Jazz Clubs and festivals throughout England and Italy. Yolanda returned to North Carolina and began teaching jazz vocal technique to students at Saint Augustine’s College, where she obtained her B.A. in Public Relations and Broadcasting, her minor was in music. Yolanda currently continues performing as her first love, and is preparing original compositions for the compilation of her first album. |
| Jimmie Nettles Jimmie is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University where he earned his Bachelor of Music in vocal performance. He went on to study vocal pedagogy at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and obtain a Master of Church Music degree. Since 1985 he has served as a minister of music for churches in Louisiana, Virginia and Georgia. He is currently serving as Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Albany GA. He has also been Adjunct Voice Faculty at Chowan College in North Carolina, and currently, Darton College in Albany GA. Jimmie has been a soloist for a variety of venues including community concerts, churches, and colleges. He is a member of and tours with The Centurymen, an auditioned male chorus from across the US. He is married to Anne and has two daughters. Jimmie is deeply committed to church ministry and strives to bring a variety of styles and programming to the church and community where he serves. |
| Lyle K. Nicholson Lyle Nicholson attended the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Illinois.He has sung with the Chicago Symphony Chorus under Margaret Hillis, presently with Lyric Opera Chorus under Donald Palumbo, roles with Chamber Opera Chicago, DuPage Opera Theatre, Grant Park Symphony, Green Bay Symphony, South Shore Chicago Symphony, Goodman Theatre Chicago and in 1994, joined the North American Tour of "Showboat" for 4 years understudying the role of Joe and made his debut in the lead role in Los Angeles with Cloris Leachman and Ned Beatty. Upon returning to Chicago, Lyle ventured onto the screen and adds to his credit, commercials for Scrubbing bubbles, Shoney Resturants, Chicago Tribune, Gateway Chevrolet, Ford Credit, voiceovers for Shoneys Resturants, Day Quil, ABN Financial Services, and numerous on-camera and voice-over industrials. Lyle will soon join the Chicago Lyric Opera Education Department in their "Meet the Artist" program. |
| Dexter Porter Dexter Porter was born in Eatonton, Georgia on August 29th, 1963. He began performing musical theatre at Northside High School, a school which has a reputation for producing Broadway caliber shows, in Warner Robins, Georgia. There, Dexter received a solid foundation in stage performance. As a result of the training from Northside, Porter had the confidence to seek and complete a BFA degree in Theatre at Valdosta State University, yet another school with a reputation of excellence in the theatre. He has since studied under Geoffrey Owens, formerly of the Cosby Show. Currently, he is receiving training in vocal performance under Franny Burke in New York City. Porter has personally produced two CD’s: “A Taste of Good Music” and “Jazz Classics”. There is a work currently in progress entitled “Dexter Porter Sings Good Music”. Dexter is looking forward to sharing his ‘good music’ with you. |
| Wendy Reynolds American soprano Wendy Reynolds enjoys a multifaceted career that spans opera, oratorio, song recital and musical theatre. She has appeared as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof and Sarah in Company, and wowed audiences and critics alike with her portrayal of Kate in Kiss Me, Kate. The Parkland Forum/EastSider (FL) wrote, “Reynolds is excellent and convincing. She not only has audience-pleasing vocal chords but is a good actress as well.” In Palm Beach Opera productions, she appeared in the title role of Lehár's The Merry Widow, Musetta in Puccini’s La bohème, and Poussette in Massenet’s Manon. The Palm Beach Daily News wrote: “Wendy Reynolds performed with great energy and personality and possesses a beautiful soprano voice, with excellent ringing tones and a lovely spin to the sound. She has a great future in the opera world.” Most recently, Ms. Reynolds was featured at Borders Books & Music for the launch of her CD entitled "Wings of Healing". |
| Diana Rogers Diana Rogers sang the blues on Bourbon Street before venturing to the Big Apple, where her career has blossomed and continues to ripen through exposure and time. You will be infatuated with the warm surrender of emotions she gives through her songs as she concedes intimacy with her audience. Diana has enjoyed a long engagement at the established Nino’s Restaurant at 1354 1st Avenue, since it’s opening in 1990. Also, she performs at the Maidstone Arms in East Hampton during the summer. Diana’s cabaret show is designed to muse the past with the music of Porter, Gershwin, Rogers and Hart, and take you into the present with great songs from the current musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim. In any event, Diana Rogers will give an exciting show, and as the curtain rises, she will wish you love and fascinate you with intrigue. |
| Huxsie Scott Huxsie began her career as a jazz vocalist in 1973. During the next fourteen years she performed with many of the area’s premiere jazz ensembles and symphony orchestras. She was features opener for jazz greats such as the late Lionel Hampton and McCoy Tyner. Huxsie worked for a number of years as vocalist for jazz great and Savannah resident, bassist Ben Tucker. In 1987, she came full circle and went back to her roots, singing Gospel and inspirational music. Huxsie has recorded three independent solo projects and she is featured on recent releases by DRT productions and local jazz trombonist Teddy Adams. Huxsie is currently the featured performer with the Savannah Theatre Project. In 2003 the company completed two very successful seasons of Lost in the Fifties, Savannah’s longest running musical to date. Huxsie’s singing style is a unique blend of jazz and traditional/contemporary Gospel. |
| Alysa Smith A featured soloist with the Savannah Symphony Chorus, Alysa Smith has performed extensively in the Savannah area. Her solo work includes the Faure Requiem, the Gounod St. Cecilia Mass, the Vivaldi Gloria, the Schubert Mass in G and Vaughn Williams' Serenade to Music. In 2002, she presented a recital as a guest artist on the Brenau University Concert Series in Gainesville, Georgia and sang the Aria from Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5 with the Coastal Symphony Orchestra of Georgia. She has offered solo recitals of classical repertoire for Savannah audiences over the last two years. Presently, she sings with the Savannah Choral Society. Since 1982, she has performed with multiple choral groups: the Savannah Counterpoint Madrigal Singers, I Cantori, and Holiday Harmonies, a professional octet. Ms. Smith received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from East Carolina University and M.M. in vocal performance from Georgia Southern University. She is the choral director at Johnson High School in Savannah. |
| Michelle Sundwall Michelle S. Sundwall’s great love is musical theatre. Recently she has been seen as Fraulein in a new musical of “Heidi” and Yum Yum in “The Mikado”. She also loves sacred music as she can express her deepest feelings of gratitude and faith through this medium. Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in music from The University of Utah.She has been a judge of vocal competitions and pageants and has received manyhonors and awards. Of those honors, a favorite is placing as a semifinalist in the 2003 American Traditions Competition. Michelle’s greatest achievements are her happy marriage and four children. Whether lullabying babies to sleep, singing in church or performing on the stage, Michelle shares her voice generously. As Utah’s well-known paper, The Deseret News, has stated, Michelle has “a truly stellar voice”. |
| Rosemary Tarquinio Rosemary Tarquinio has been singing all her life but has made a career as a film and television executive in Los Angeles. Entering the American Traditions Competition is Rosemary’s return to music and singing. Rosemary has sung The National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels, Clippers and Kings and has performed a vocal number on the television series, Quantum Leap. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Rosemary now resides in Los Angeles and continues to study opera privately but her great loves are musical theatre and standards which she will perform in the American Traditions Competition. |
| Karen Young Karen Young, Lyric Soprano, was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. She holds a B.A.degree in vocal performance from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she is an adjunct vocal instructor. She also maintains a private studio of 20 students at Ars Nova School of the Arts, a music school located in Huntsville. Ms. Young’s most recent roles include “Desdemona” in Verdi’s Otello, “Maddalena” in Verdi’s Rigoletto, and “Suzuki” in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. In her career, Ms. Young has been coached by some of the finest vocal instructors, including Joan Dornemann and Nico Castel of the Metropolitan Opera, Virginia Zeani of Indiana University, and Richard Miller of Oberlin Conservatory. Ms. Young also pursues her love of jazz music, an interest that was handed down by her mother, a local jazz pianist and singer. Karen has performed with various jazz artists in Atlanta, Nashville, and other areas in the Southeast. |